By Emanuel Tarus, DevReporter, Trans Nzoia County
Less than two weeks before Kenyans cast their votes to elect their leaders, residents of Trans Nzoia County have mixed reactions on the level of preparedness on the side of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission IEBC.
Speaking to Radio Baraza’s DevReporter, a section of the residents said they do not have confidence in IEBC following revelations that three Venezuelans were arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), in possession of some IEBC stickers rolls.
Ken Mutai, a farmer, said IEBC is adequately prepared and asked those against the elections body to focus on their campaigns instead of faulting and attacking its Chair, Mr Chebukati and his fellow commissioners.
“Yes, IEBC is prepared. It is only the people in opposition who happen to be in the Azimio camp that are not satisfied with elections preparedness. You know you can’t be a player at the same time you are the referee” Mutai said.
A resident who declined to be named said IEBC’s chairperson Wafula Chebukati should tell Kenyans what he knows about the nabbed stickers so that Kenyans trust the outcome of the hotly contested elections.
“IEBC chairman, Chebukati is confusing us; we are likely to get back to where we were sometimes back. My worry is that elections might be rigged” she said.
Her sentiments were echoed by Silas Wafula, a human rights activist who said majority of Kenyans doubt the election body but argued that IEBC has time to reclaim itself.
“We are very worried because if people who are not employees of IEBC can access IEBC election materials, that issue is a serious concern for us. But they have time to sanitize themselves” Wafula said.
Silas Machichim, an Mpesa agent said IEBC is fully prepared to conduct elections.
‘`Yes I am very satisfied with IEBC, I thank Chebukati for what he is doing; he is experienced and knows how to conduct elections” he said.
